Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-03-31

and piles of domestic linen.
q hate the country - said Elma
I'D as soon go to prison and done with
! it,
oh, Ellie, don't talk so, said Rose.
There are wild-roses and robins there,
just rs one sees on the painted plaques
in the store windows. And perhaps
we can have a flower-bed, and some
little downy chickens y
But the first sight of Mulleinstalk
Farm was dispiriting in the eXpreme.
Between rock and swamp, there was
scarcely pasture for the two lean cows
! that Mr.. Chesney had bought at II bar
gain and the hollow backed horse,
which stalked about the premises like
some phantom Bucephalus.
The apple. trees in the orchard we've
thee e.Quarters dead. and leaned sorrow
fully away from the last winds, until
their boughs touched the very ground ;
the fences were all going to ruin, and
the front gate was tied up with hemp
string.
rs this home p said Elma, with an
indescrib able intonation in her voice.
Well get things all Strengthened up,
after awhile, said Mr.. Chesney, bust
ling to drive away the pigs, who had
broken out of their pen and were
squealing dismally under the window.
Mrs. Chesney cried herself to sleep
that night, and awakened the next
morning with every bone instinct with
shooting pains.
And no wonder.' said Spencer.
There's foot of water in the CELLAR
I'VE must have it drained, said Mr..
Chesney, with an uLeasy look but
there's plenty of things TO do first.
And now began reign of the strict.
est economy. Mr.. Chesney himself
paid for everything with checks, and
not an article came into the house or
out of it without his cOgnizance. New
dresses were frowned upon spring
bonnets were strictly interdicted or
ders were issued that old carpets should
be reserved, AID broken dishes repaired
with cement and quicklime.
Save, save, save That is the chief
thing he kept repeating, briskly.
Women folks can't earn they should
try their best to save
It's all very we'll for papa growled
Will. Pc goes to the city every day
and sees something besides the pigs
and the dead apple-trees. He orders
new suit when he needs it. LOOK at
mammals patched gown and Rosie's
dyed bonnet-strings ! Why, they
can't even go to church, they are such
objects lie gets his lunch at a res
taurant. and we eat cold beans, and
drink dandelon coffe and sage tea =
Boys futtered Rosie, 'I've an idea.
Mary Penn, who lives on the next
farm, you know. came to see Elma and
me yesterday. Papa is earning his l'v-
ing we'll earn something, too
Il should like to know how. mutter-
ed Spencer. Il might hire out some
where as farm hand, if it wasn't for
that wretched old horse, and the pigs,
and the wood chnpping, and
oh, but there is something that
won't interfere with the chores, nor
with school y said cheerful little Rosie.
Just listen-all l ask of you is to
listen y
And the weeks grew into months,
and the red leaves edded down in lit
tie swirls from the little maple trees,
and pig killing time came, and, with
the aid Of lame. 0ne-eyed man, Mr..
Chesney, laid down his own stock Of
pork and sausages for the winter with
the sense of being triumphantly econ
omcal.
The family had left off complaining
now. Apparently they were resigned
to their doom. But there was some
things that MIR. Chesney could not ex-
plain at all.
A new rug frightened up the dismal
hues Of their parlor carpet Rosie had
crimson merIno dress. trimmed with
tlack velvet bars Elma's jacket was
edged with substantial black fur and
grand grand climax of extravaganza
Mrs. Chesney had a new shawl, in
place of the old brOche garment which
had been her mothers before her
He looked over the housekeeping
books with renewed vigilance, he con-
suited the stubs of his check book with
a glance that nothing could escape.
81 don't know acknowledged
age it., said he, scratching his nose
with the lead pencil that he always
carried. Il hate mysteries, aud l mean
to be at the bottom of this before I'm
an hour Older
He took his account book under his
arm AMI marched into the kitchen,
where his wife was clearing away the
late supper.